Four-time champion and current world No. 1 Rafael Nadal beat former top-ranked superstar Roger Federer in the previous three finals here. Nadal, who is seeking a fifth straight Monte-Carlo title this week, is also trying to become the first No. 1 seed to win the championship here since Juan Carlos Ferrero accomplished the feat in 2003.

This is one of three outdoor clay court ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments, joining ones in Rome and Madrid. If Nadal wins, it'll be his 14th championship at an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event, tying Federer for the most all-time at such a level tournament.

The top eight seeds received first-round byes. Federer is seeded second, followed by Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

Stan and Roger eyeing first clay meeting Roger Federer is keen to play his first match on clay against good friend and Davis Cup teammate Stanislas Wawrinka as the pair meet for the third time in an ATP event at Monte Carlo.

"Of course, I like to play against him", said the Swiss second seed. "I'm so happy he was able to take it to the next level last year, getting into the top 10, finally making the break".

"He's always been a work in progress, taking one step back, two steps forward. It's nice to see him playing more consistently now on a regular basis. It's our first match on clay against each other.I'm excited to see how it's going to turn out".

For his part, the 13th seeded Wawrinka is also eager to test himself against the best. The two also played the final of the Kooyong exhibition before the start of the Australian Open, which Federer won.

"He's a good friend of mine," said Wawrinka. "It will be nice to play him on the centre court here on clay. I've played him three times already and always lost".

"But those were indoor and hard court. It's gonna be fun to play tomorrow".

The match will be the second for Federer since marrying longtime girlfriend Mirka Vanrinec last weekend in his hometown of Basel.